Monroe County Legislator Harry Bronson, the guy who would be majority leader if Democrats capture the majority in the Monroe County Legislature, better hope Monore County residents don’t start to connect the dots. If they do, Harry will have to start explaining what he thinks about his boss, Assemblymember Susan John’s (he’s her Assembly Legal Counsel) vote against property taxpayers.   

Homeowners across New York are receiving an unpleasant surprise when they open their mail and find their school property tax bills are increasing more than they expected due to a reduction in STAR exemptions. This is on top of the loss of their STAR property tax rebate checks.

On average, the elimination of STAR rebate checks will cost homeowners $386 and seniors will have to spend an additional $458 to pay off their property tax bills.

According to the Albany Times Union, some homeowners are simultaneously being hit with a so-called ‘floor adjustment’ or reduction on their traditional STAR exemption amount — costing taxpayers even more in their property tax bills. The STAR ‘floor’ adjusts homeowners’ STAR exemptions based on increasing and decreasing market values versus the homeowners’ assessment level.

Assemblywoman Susan John (D-131st A. D.) voted for state Assembly Budget bill A.153-C that eliminated STAR property tax rebate checks. John also failed to pass a tax cap to limit future property tax increases.

“Assemblywoman John voted to eliminate STAR property tax rebate checks costing working families and seniors hundreds of dollars more this year to pay their tax bills,” said Kathleen Hennessey, Spokeswoman for the New York Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).

“New Yorkers pay the highest taxes in the nation and now their property tax bills are going to be even higher because Assemblywoman John wouldn’t just say ‘no’ to a bad bill,” concluded Hennessey.